News Releases

Dr. Mark Abrahams has been appointed Memorial’s next dean of the Faculty of Science. He will succeed Dr. Robert Lucas who has served in that position since 1999.

The appointment was approved by the Board of Regents at its July 19 meeting. The Board also approved the extension of Dr. Lucas as dean until Feb. 29, 2008.

Dr. Abrahams has also been appointed professor of Biology/Ocean Sciences Centre. He takes over the post as dean starting March 1, 2008.

Dr. Abrahams has a B.Sc. (honours) in zoology from the University of Western Ontario, a M.Sc. in biology from Queen’s University and a PhD in biology from Simon Fraser University.

Since September 2004, Dr. Abrahams has been the associate dean of science (research) at the University of Manitoba. As a full professor, he maintains a productive and well-funded research program in ecology and aquatic biology.

Prior to serving as associate dean, he gained experience with university governance and administration as a member of Senate and of Senate executive, and by working on various university-wide projects in the areas of graduate studies, leadership selection and student concerns.

Dr. Abrahams said he has long aimed to extend linkages with industry and government. His successes include founding and directing a cross-disciplinary research group in Aquatic Biology – a collaboration among various faculties of universities and provincial and federal departments.

He is also a founding member of the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium (comprised of 30 agencies from various government and university departments, corporations, municipal and aboriginal groups), and has worked as an adviser to provincial agencies in Manitoba and British Columbia, as well as being an external consultant to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.